#mueller #election2020 #lnsc #acloserlook
I enjoy watching the late-night show’s satirical take on the day’s news. They are mostly sharp and entertaining. Because most of the hosts are left-leaning, they tend to satirize the Republicans more than the Democrats. The jokes and lambasting are tough, but they’ve mostly been true. And while true, they are lacking the necessary criticism to make them an effective force for change. Thus, all of the work and effort spent on these monologues are turning into nothing but echo-chambers for the viewers.
Take the recent Mueller hearing as an example. Both of my favorite late-night show hosts did the exact same thing; to down-play the apparent ineptitude of Mr. Mueller during the hearings. We talked about how Mr. Mueller mumbled and stepped over his own words. A very good director, Mr. Mueller may very well be, but few can say that he communicated this very well during his appearance. As only the second-time I’d ever heard him speak, and having read the entire 450-page report, I found his appearance to actually generate a level of uncertainty I had never felt from the report. In other words, Mueller’s appearance in front of congress did the opposite of his report. I realize he’s not an actor or entertainer, or even a politician. I agree. So why have him testify? Why have him potentially damage his work?
However, if you had only watched the late-night shows, you would have thought his appearance was extraordinary. It was not. It was horrible… as far as providing further credibility to the report (which could stand on its own). This is the point I’m trying to make, that while these shows are supposed to be entertaining, unless they include “some” criticism, they are nothing but echo-chambers.
Both, the Late Show and Late Night played up the Mueller appearance in the same way. And they both screwed up an excellent opportunity to criticize the Democratic leadership for giving Trump even more fuel to further delegitimize the report.
